Compositions and methods that modulate phosphorus or enzymes in a companion animal

ABSTRACT

A specific type of organ health marker in a companion animal can be improved by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of organ health marker or adjusting the diet of the animal to decrease the amount of a compound which positively or negatively modulates the specific type of organ health marker. The specific type of organ health marker can be one or more of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/434,542 filed Dec. 15, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND

Phosphorus and enzymes are essential for life. Phosphates (compounds containing the phosphate ion, PO₄ ³⁻) are a component of DNA, RNA, ATP, and the phospholipids, which form all cell membranes. Phosphate deficiency syndrome may be caused by malnutrition, by failure to absorb phosphate, and by metabolic syndromes that draw phosphate from the blood (such as re-feeding after malnutrition) or pass too much of it into the urine. All are characterized by hypophosphatemia, which is a condition of low levels of soluble phosphate levels in the blood serum and inside the cells. Symptoms of hypophosphatemia include neurological dysfunction and disruption of muscle and blood cells due to lack of ATP. Too much phosphate can lead to diarrhea and calcification (hardening) of organs and soft tissue, and can interfere with the body's ability to use iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc.

Enzymes are macromolecular biological catalysts. Enzymes accelerate, or catalyze, chemical reactions. The molecules at the beginning of the process upon which enzymes may act are called substrates and the enzyme converts these into different molecules, called products. Almost all metabolic processes in the cell need enzymes in order to occur at rates fast enough to sustain life. The set of enzymes made in a cell determines which metabolic pathways occur in that cell. Enzymes serve a wide variety of functions inside living organisms. They are indispensable for signal transduction and cell regulation, often via kinases and phosphatases. They also generate movement, with myosin hydrolyzing ATP to generate muscle contraction, and also transport cargo around the cell as part of the cytoskeleton. In addition to inherent biological functions, they can also serve as surrogate markers of tissue damage and disease based on their tissue of origin. This is as a result of cellular disruption in a tissue, in which the enzymes are released and measured, usually in the blood stream.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to pet food compositions; methods of enhancing nutritional benefit of a pet food; and methods for modulating at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase in a companion animal. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to metabolites for modulating at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase in a companion animal.

The present inventors have developed a predictive model of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase by identifying metabolite compounds which correlate to phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase. A very controlled study was employed to minimize other external factors by using multiple canines all fed the same diet. A validation model was then developed by feeding different levels of the identified compounds (via a dietary change) to a group of canines and measuring changes in the corresponding phosphorus/enzyme.

Accordingly, in a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a pet food composition comprising: protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, and a metabolite for modulating at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase in a companion animal. In one embodiment, the pet food composition can provide at least a 5% increase or at least a 5% decrease in at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase in the companion animal. In one aspect, the pet food can provide an increase in a phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase. In another aspect, the pet food can comprise a decrease in a phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase.

The present disclosure also provides methods of minimizing costs associated with production of a pet food; methods of enhancing nutritional benefit of a pet food; methods for modulating at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase in a companion animal, and methods for detecting a change in the amount of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase in a companion animal.

An advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is to increase or decrease phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase in a companion animal by adjusting the diet of the animal to increase the amount of a compound which positively modulates phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase or to decrease the amount of a compound which negatively modulates phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase.

Another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is to minimize pet food production costs by utilizing ingredients which are appropriately high or low in the identified compounds or precursors thereof, as generally illustrated by the non-limiting examples discussed herein.

Additional features and advantages are described herein and will be apparent from the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Definitions

As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a composition” or “the composition” includes two or more compositions. The term “and/or” used in the context of “X and/or Y” should be interpreted as “X,” or “Y,” or “X and Y.” Where used herein, the terms “example” and “such as,” particularly when followed by a listing of terms, are merely exemplary and illustrative, and are not exclusive or comprehensive.

As used herein, “about” is understood to refer to numbers in a range of numerals, for example the range of −10% to +10% of the referenced number, within −5% to +5% of the referenced number, or in one aspect, within −1% to +1% of the referenced number, and in a specific aspect, within −0.1% to +0.1% of the referenced number. Furthermore, all numerical ranges herein should be understood to include all integers, whole or fractions, within the range. Moreover, these numerical ranges should be construed as providing support for a claim directed to any number or subset of numbers in that range. For example, a disclosure of from 1 to 10 should be construed as supporting a range of from 1 to 8, from 3 to 7, from 1 to 9, from 3.6 to 4.6, from 3.5 to 9.9, and so forth.

All percentages expressed herein are by weight of the total weight of the food composition unless expressed otherwise. When reference is made to the pH, values correspond to pH measured at 25° C. with standard equipment. An “amount” can be the total amount of the referenced component per serving of the composition or per distinct unit of the composition and/or can be the weight percentage of the referenced component by dry weight. Moreover, an “amount” includes zero; for example, the recitation of an amount of a compound does not necessarily mean that the compound is present, unless followed by a range that excludes zero.

The terms “food,” “food product” and “food composition” mean a product or composition that is intended for ingestion by an animal, including a human, and provides at least one nutrient to the animal. Further in this regard, these terms mean that the product or composition is in a form ready for consumption and is not merely an intermediate from which a consumable product or composition is made, although other food compositions can be added in some embodiments. The term “pet food” means any food composition intended to be consumed by a pet. The term “pet” means any animal which could benefit from or enjoy the compositions provided by the present disclosure. For example, the pet can be an avian, bovine, canine, equine, feline, hircine, lupine, murine, ovine, or porcine animal, but the pet can be any suitable animal.

The term “companion animal” means a dog or a cat. In an embodiment, the compositions and methods disclosed herein involve a senior dog or a senior cat. Dogs are considered senior in the last 25% of their lives. The life span of a dog depends on its size and/or its breed, but for the present disclosure a senior dog is a dog that is at least 5 years of age (e.g., at least 6 years of age, at least 7 years of age, or at least 8 years of age). The life span of a cat also depends on its size and/or its breed, but for the present disclosure a senior cat is a cat that is at least 7 years of age (e.g., at least 8 years of age, at least 9 years of age, or at least 10 years of age).

As used herein, “comparable companion animal” refers to a healthy animal of the same gender, breed, and age as the companion animal.

As used herein, “metabolite” refers to a compound having biological activity in a companion animal that is an intermediate or product of metabolism, and includes precursors thereof. As used herein, “precursor” refers to any compound that metabolizes to a metabolite during metabolism in a companion animal. For example, if the specific metabolite is cysteine, “the metabolite” comprises a cysteine precursor (e.g., methionine).

The term “effective amount” means an amount of a compound of the present invention that (i) treats or prevents the particular disease, condition, or disorder, (ii) attenuates, ameliorates, or eliminates one or more symptoms of the particular disease, condition, or disorder, or (iii) prevents or delays the onset of one or more symptoms of the particular disease, condition, or disorder described herein. In one embodiment, the present metabolite or combination of metabolites can be present in an effective amount for modulating phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase in a companion animal.

The dosages expressed herein are in milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day (mg/kg/day) unless expressed otherwise.

The term “long-term administration” means periods of repeated administration or consumption in excess of one month. Periods of longer than two, three, or four months can be used for certain embodiments. Also, more extended periods can be used that include longer than 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 months. Periods in excess of 11 months or 1 year can also be used. Longer term use extending over 1, 2, 3, or more years are included in the invention. For certain aging animals, the animal will continue consuming on a regular basis for the remainder of its life. This can also be referred to as consumption for “extended” periods.

The term “regular basis” or “regular administration” means at least monthly dosing with the compositions or consumption of the compositions, and in one aspect, means at least weekly dosing. More frequent dosing or consumption, such as twice or three times weekly, can be performed in certain embodiments. Still, in other embodiments, regimens can be used that comprise at least once daily consumption. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the blood level of a compound or certain metabolites of that compound or which result after the consumption of that compound, may be a useful tool for assessing or determining dosing frequency. For example, for determining feeding amounts for pet food compositions comprising a certain metabolite, the blood concentration of that metabolite, may provide useful information. A frequency, regardless of whether expressly exemplified herein, that allows maintenance of a desired blood level of the measured compound, such as a metabolite, within acceptable ranges can be useful herein. The skilled artisan will appreciate that feeding amounts will be a function of the composition that is being consumed or administered as well as the animal consuming the food, and some food compositions may require more or less frequent administration to maintain a desired blood level of the measured compound (e.g., a metabolite).

The relative terms “improve,” “increase,” “enhance,” “decrease” and the like refer to the effects of the composition disclosed herein (a composition comprising a metabolites) relative to a composition having a lower amount or lacking such metabolites, but otherwise identical.

A “blended” composition merely has at least two components having at least one different characteristic relative to each other. In one aspect, moisture content and water activity can be different in the context of the present disclosure. In this regard, description of a composition as “blended” does not imply that the blended composition has been subjected to processing sometimes referenced as “blending,” namely mixing components so that they are indistinguishable from each other, and, in one aspect, such processing is avoided when mixing one component with the other components to form a blended composition (e.g., mixing a dry component with a wet or semi-moist component). Further in this regard, in a blended composition each of the at least two components having at least one different characteristic relative to each other can retain their distinct identity and appearance.

“Wet food” means a pet food having a moisture content from about 50% to about 90%, and in one aspect, from about 70% to about 90%. “Dry food” means a pet food having a moisture content less than about 20%, and in one aspect, less than about 15%, and in a specific aspect, less than about 10%. “Semi-moist food” means a pet food having a moisture content from about 20% to about 50%, and in one aspect, from about 25% to about 35%.

“Kibbles” is used synonymously with “chunks” herein and both terms mean pieces of dry or semi-moist pet food which can have a pellet shape or any other shape and can be made by slicing a food composition into separate pieces. Non-limiting examples of kibbles include particulates; pellets; pieces of pet food, dehydrated meat, meat analog, vegetables, and combinations thereof; and pet snacks, such as meat or vegetable jerky, rawhide, and biscuits. A “meat analog” is a meat emulsion product that resembles pieces of natural meat in appearance, texture, and physical structure.

The term “phosphorus/enzyme” and “organ health markers” are interchangeable and refer to at least one member of the group consisting of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase.

The term “dietary supplement” means a product that is intended to be ingested in addition to the normal animal diet. Dietary supplements may be in any form, e.g., solid, liquid, gel, tablets, capsules, powder, and the like. In one aspect, they can be provided in convenient dosage forms. In some embodiments, they can be provided in bulk consumer packages such as bulk powders, liquids, gels, or oils. In other embodiments, supplements can be provided in bulk quantities to be included in other food items such as snacks, treats, supplement bars, beverages and the like.

The compositions disclosed herein may lack any element that is not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, a disclosure of an embodiment using the term “comprising” includes a disclosure of embodiments “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of” the components identified. Similarly, the methods disclosed herein may lack any step that is not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, a disclosure of an embodiment using the term “comprising” includes a disclosure of embodiments “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of” the steps identified. Any embodiment disclosed herein can be combined with any other embodiment disclosed herein unless explicitly and directly stated otherwise.

The present discussion of embodiments, aspects, examples, etc. are independent in that they can apply to all methods and compositions. For example, a metabolite used in a pet food composition can also be used in the method of modulating or a method of minimizing costs associated with making such a pet food, and vice versa.

EMBODIMENTS

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a pet food composition can comprise protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, and a metabolite for modulating at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase in a companion animal. In one aspect, the pet food composition can include at least 8 distinct metabolites including at least 2 distinct metabolites for modulating phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase in a companion animal. In one embodiment, the pet food composition can provide an increase in at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase in the companion animal. In one aspect, the companion animal can be a senior dog or a senior cat.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of modulating at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase in a companion animal is provided. The method comprises administering to the companion animal a pet food composition comprising protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, and a metabolite for modulating at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase in the companion animal. In one aspect, the companion animal can be a senior dog or a senior cat.

In still another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of measuring a change in the amount of at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase in a companion animal can comprise obtaining a serum sample of the companion animal, measuring concentrations of at least three distinct metabolites from the serum sample that modulate at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase, and determining that the phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase has changed if, after comparing the metabolite concentrations to average metabolite concentrations of each metabolite from comparable companion animals, the metabolite concentrations are different than the average metabolite concentrations.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a method of minimizing costs associated with production of a pet food having a first formulation designed for consumption by a companion animal, such as a senior dog or a senior cat. A further aspect of the present disclosure is a method of enhancing nutritional benefit of a pet food having a first formulation designed for consumption by a companion animal, such as a senior dog or a senior cat. These methods comprise adjusting the first formulation of the pet food to be a second formulation. At least one of the first and second formulations comprises a metabolite for modulating at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase in the companion animal. The adjusting comprises changing an amount of the metabolite in the first formulation to a different amount in the second formulation.

“Minimizing” costs means that the costs associated with making the second formulation are less than the costs associated with making the first formulation, for example on a per serving basis, per unit weight, per unit volume, per total energy, and the like. “Enhanced” nutritional benefit means that the nutritional benefit of the second formulation is greater than the nutritional benefit of the first formulation.

As discussed herein, the pet food compositions and methods can contain a metabolite or multiple metabolites for modulating at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase. In various aspects, the compositions and methods can contain 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or even 10 metabolites for any one of the phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase, two of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase, three of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase, or for each one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase. As such, in one embodiment, the composition can comprise at least 12 metabolites, including at least 3 metabolites for individually modulating each one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase in a companion animal. In another embodiment, the composition can comprise at least 16 metabolites, including at least 3 metabolites for individually modulating each one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase in a companion animal. Additionally, in one embodiment, the composition can comprise at least four distinct metabolites that modulate at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase. Further, in one embodiment, the composition can comprise at least five distinct metabolites that modulate at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase. Still, in another embodiment, the method can modulate at least two members selected from the group consisting of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase, and the composition can comprise at least six distinct metabolites, three distinct metabolites for modulating each of the at least two members. Yet, in another embodiment, the method can modulate at least three members selected from the group consisting of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase, and the composition can comprise at least nine distinct metabolites, three distinct metabolites for modulating each of the at least three members. Still, in another embodiment, the method can modulate each one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase, and the composition can comprise at least twelve distinct metabolites, three distinct metabolites for modulating each of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase. As previously noted, the metabolite and phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase relationships can be used for both method and composition embodiments.

In some embodiments, the metabolite negatively modulates the specific phosphorus/enzyme, and the changing of the amount of the metabolite comprises decreasing the amount of the metabolite. In other embodiments, the metabolite negatively modulates the specific phosphorus/enzyme, and the changing of the amount of the metabolite comprises increasing the amount of the metabolite. In some embodiments, the metabolite positively modulates the specific phosphorus/enzyme, and the changing of the amount of the metabolite comprises increasing the amount of the metabolite. In other embodiments, the metabolite positively modulates the specific phosphorus/enzyme, and the changing of the amount of the metabolite comprises decreasing the amount of the metabolite. These are not mutually exclusive embodiments; a particular embodiment can comprise decreasing the amount of a metabolite that negatively modulates a first specific phosphorus/enzyme and increasing the amount of a metabolite that positively modulates a second specific phosphorus/enzyme, and the first and second specific phosphorus/enzyme can be the same or different specific phosphorus/enzyme (e.g., one or more of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase).

Decreasing the amount of the metabolite can comprise decreasing the amount of the metabolite directly and/or decreasing the amount of an ingredient which comprises the metabolite. In some embodiments, decreasing the amount of the metabolite can comprise decreasing the amount of a precursor of the metabolite directly and/or decreasing the amount of an ingredient which comprises a precursor of the metabolite. For example, the second formulation can contain, relative to the first formulation, less of an ingredient having a high amount of the metabolite or precursor thereof (e.g., an ingredient having an amount of the metabolite or precursor thereof that is higher than in one or more of the other ingredients).

Increasing the amount of the metabolite can comprise increasing the amount of the metabolite directly and/or increasing the amount of an ingredient which comprises the metabolite. In some embodiments, increasing the amount of the metabolite can comprise increasing the amount of a precursor of the metabolite directly and/or increasing the amount of an ingredient which comprises a precursor of the metabolite. For example, the second formulation can contain, relative to the first formulation, more of an ingredient having a high amount of the metabolite or precursor thereof (e.g., an ingredient having an amount of the metabolite or precursor thereof that is higher than in one or more of the other ingredients).

Generally, the methods and compositions described herein can provide an increase or a decrease in at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase in the companion animal. In some embodiment, the increase or decrease can be at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or even 50%. In one aspect, the compositions and methods can provide an increase. In another aspect, the compositions and methods can provide a decrease. As such, the present modulation, and resulting increase or decrease, can treat and/or prevent damage or disease to the tissue of origin (including, but not limited to the liver, kidney, bone, placenta, intestines, pancreas, heart, muscle, red blood cells), as well as treat hypophosphatemia, neurological dysfunction, diarrhea, calcification of organs, or calcification of soft tissue.

In one embodiment, the increase or decrease can be for at least two of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase. In another embodiment, the increase or decrease can be for at least three of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase. In still another embodiment, the increase or decrease can be for each one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase.

Ingredients comprising the metabolite (e.g., a precursor of the metabolite) and optionally amounts of the metabolite in the ingredient can be identified by analysis of the ingredient, for example using a separation technique, such as gas chromatography or liquid chromatography, and then mass spectrometry.

In each of these compositions and methods, the pet food composition can be a wet food, a semi-moist food or a dry food. In an embodiment, the pet food composition is one or more components of a blended composition. In some embodiments, the pet food composition is a kibble, and in some embodiments, the pet food composition is a meat analog. Additionally, in another embodiment, the present composition for modulating phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase can be a dietary supplement comprising the metabolites described herein. Further, a method of modulating at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase can include administering to the companion animal the dietary supplement.

Such pet food compositions can be administered to the companion animal in amounts ranging from about 3 g of pet food per 1 lb body weight to about 16 g of pet food per 1 lb body weight of the companion animal. Additionally, the metabolites can be present in amounts from about 0.01 weight % to about 10 weight % of the food composition. In one aspect, the metabolites can be present in concentrations of about 0.01 to about 1,000 mg/kg of food. In another aspect, the metabolites can be present in concentrations from about 1 IU to about 500,000 IU per kilogram of food. In one embodiment, the pet food composition can be administered to the companion animal in amounts sufficient to maintain the health and/or body weight of the animal. In one aspect, the administration can be regular administration.

As noted above and detailed later in this application, the present inventors identified metabolite compounds which correlate to phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase. Thus, the metabolite in the pet food composition can be one of these compounds. Nevertheless, the metabolite can be any metabolite for modulating at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase in a companion animal, even if the metabolite is not explicitly disclosed herein. For example, the metabolite can be a compound identified using the methods disclosed herein but not itself explicitly disclosed herein. Furthermore, the metabolite can be a compound identified using a method not disclosed herein if the compound is reliably correlated to at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase.

As a non-limiting example, the metabolite can modulate phosphorus and can be selected from the group consisting of X-16013, X-12195, homocysteine, X-16975, erythritol, arabitol, betaine, N-acetylphenylalanine, X-09789, 3-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), citrulline, mannose, 2-oxindole-3-acetate, N-acetyltryptophan, glycerate, X-15439, xylonate, threitol, 3-aminoisobutyrate, arachidonate (20:4n6), X-11378, gamma-glutamylphenylalanine, phenylalanine, X-16071, trigonelline (N′-methylnicotinate), allantoin, glutathione (oxidized (GSSG)), N-acetylserine, arabinose, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the metabolite can modulate phosphorus and can be selected from the group consisting of homocysteine, erythritol, arabitol, betaine, N-acetylphenylalanine, 3-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), citrulline, mannose, 2-oxindole-3-acetate, N-acetyltryptophan, glycerate, xylonate, threitol, 3-aminoisobutyrate, arachidonate (20:4n6), gamma-glutamylphenylalanine, phenylalanine, trigonelline (N′-methylnicotinate), allantoin, glutathione (oxidized (GSSG)), N-acetylserine, arabinose, and mixtures thereof.

As another non-limiting example, the metabolite can modulate alkaline phosphatase and can be selected from the group consisting of lysine, X-14314, gamma-glutamylphenylalanine, X-11914, arabinose, phenylalanine, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the metabolite can modulate alkaline phosphatase and can be selected from the group consisting of lysine, gamma-glutamylphenylalanine, arabinose, phenylalanine, and mixtures thereof.

As yet another non-limiting example, the metabolite can modulate aspartate aminotransferase and can be selected from the group consisting of 3-ureidopropionate, threitol, erythronate, gulono-1,4-lactone, C-glycosyltryptophan, urea, 2-hydroxyglutarate, butyrylcarnitine, dimethylglycine, pseudouridine, eicosapentaenoate (EPA; 20:5n3), uracil, X-12104, 1-linoleoylglycerophosphoinositol, dihomo-linolenate (20:3n3 or n6), phosphate, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the metabolite can modulate aspartate aminotransferase and can be selected from the group consisting of 3-ureidopropionate, threitol, erythronate, gulono-1,4-lactone, C-glycosyltryptophan, urea, 2-hydroxyglutarate, butyrylcarnitine, dimethylglycine, pseudouridine, eicosapentaenoate (EPA; 20:5n3), uracil, and mixtures thereof.

As a further non-limiting example, the metabolite can modulate gamma-glutamyltransferase and can be selected from the group consisting of 3-aminoisobutyrate, trigonelline (N′-methylnicotinate), N-acetylserine, taurochenodeoxycholate, erythritol, 15-methylpalmitate (isobar with 2-methylpalmitate), allantoin, taurocholate, threitol, 3-phosphoglycerate, betaine, arabitol, sebacate (decanedioate), X-16975, stachydrine, citrulline, citrate, glycolate (hydroxyacetate), campesterol, X-12195, X-11914, X-09789, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the metabolite can modulate gamma-glutamyltransferase and can be selected from the group consisting of 3-aminoisobutyrate, trigonelline (N′-methylnicotinate), N-acetylserine, taurochenodeoxycholate, erythritol, 15-methylpalmitate (isobar with 2-methylpalmitate), allantoin, taurocholate, threitol, and mixtures thereof.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method enhances nutritional benefit of a pet food having a first formulation designed for consumption by companion animals, and the method comprises administering the pet food having the first formulation to a first companion animal. The method further comprises measuring in a sample of body fluid from the companion animal (e.g., plasma) an amount of a surrogate marker comprising a metabolite that modulates at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase. The method further comprises adjusting the first formulation of the pet food to be a second formulation having a difference from the first formulation selected from the group consisting of (i) an ingredient is present in the second formulation and is absent in the first formulation, (ii) an ingredient is absent in the second formulation and is present in the first formulation, (iii) an ingredient is present in the first and second formulations but in a different amount, and (iv) combinations thereof. The adjusting is based at least partially on the amount of the surrogate marker measured in the previous step.

The adjusting can comprise directly decreasing the amount of a metabolite negatively modulating a specific phosphorus/enzyme and/or decreasing the amount of an ingredient which comprises a metabolite negatively modulating a specific phosphorus/enzyme. In some embodiments, decreasing the amount of the metabolite can comprise decreasing the amount of a precursor of the metabolite directly and/or decreasing the amount of an ingredient which comprises a precursor of the metabolite. For example, the second formulation can contain, relative to the first formulation, less of an ingredient having a high amount of the metabolite or precursor thereof (e.g., an ingredient having an amount of the metabolite or precursor thereof that is higher than in one or more of the other ingredients).

The adjusting can comprise increasing the amount of the metabolite can comprise directly increasing the amount of a metabolite positively modulating a specific phosphorus/enzyme and/or increasing the amount of an ingredient which comprises a metabolite positively modulating a specific phosphorus/enzyme. In some embodiments, increasing the amount of the metabolite can comprise increasing the amount of a precursor of the metabolite directly and/or increasing the amount of an ingredient which comprises a precursor of the metabolite. For example, the second formulation can contain, relative to the first formulation, more of an ingredient having a high amount of the metabolite or precursor thereof (e.g., an ingredient having an amount of the metabolite or precursor thereof that is higher than in one or more of the other ingredients).

As noted above, ingredients comprising the metabolite (e.g., a precursor of the metabolite) and optionally amounts of the metabolite in the ingredient can be identified by analysis of the ingredient, for example using a separation technique, such as gas chromatography or liquid chromatography, and then mass spectrometry.

The method further comprises producing the pet food in the second formulation. In an embodiment, the method comprises administering the pet food having the second formulation to a second companion animal.

This method can be used to provide customized nutrition for a specific companion animal. For example, the first and second companion animal can be the same specific companion animal such that the animal who is administered the pet food having the first formulation has one or more of their specific phosphorus/enzyme of the first formulation assessed. Then this same animal is provided with the resultant second formulation which this animal will more effectively modulate with respect to at least one of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase. Consequently, a pet owner can compensate for their pet's age-induced changes in one or more of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase.

Alternatively or additionally, this method can be used to provide customized nutrition for companion animals who share one or more of a gender, an approximate age, an approximate size (e.g., body weight, height, and/or length) or a breed. For example, the second companion animal can be a different specific animal than the first companion animal but has a characteristic selected from the group consisting of (i) about the same age as the first companion animal, (ii) about the same size as the first companion animal, (iii) the same breed as the first companion animal, (iv) the same gender as the first companion animal, and (iv) combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the second companion animal can be one of a plurality of companion animals who each share the characteristic with the first companion animal. The method can comprise administering the pet food having the second formulation to the plurality of companion animals. In an embodiment, at least a portion of the plurality of companion animals is located remotely relative to the first companion animal.

The pet food compositions disclosed herein can be any food formulated for consumption by a pet such as a companion animal. In an embodiment, the pet food composition provides complete nutrition as defined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and which depends on the type of animal for which the composition is intended (e.g., dog or cat).

The pet food composition can comprise meat, such as emulsified meat. Examples of suitable meat include poultry, beef, pork, lamb and fish, especially those types of meats suitable for pets. The meat can include any additional parts of an animal including offal. Some or all of the meat can be provided as one or more meat meals, namely meat that has been dried and ground to form substantially uniform-sized particles and as defined by AAFCO. Additionally or alternatively, vegetable protein can be used, such as pea protein, corn protein (e.g., ground corn or corn gluten), wheat protein (e.g., ground wheat or wheat gluten), soy protein (e.g., soybean meal, soy concentrate, or soy isolate), rice protein (e.g., ground rice or rice gluten) and the like.

The pet food compositions disclosed herein can comprise vegetable oil, a flavorant, a colorant and water. Suitable vegetable oils include soybean oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, and the like. Examples of suitable flavorants include yeast, tallow, rendered animal meals (e.g., poultry, beef, lamb, pork), flavor extracts or blends (e.g., grilled beef), animal digests, and the like. Suitable colorants include FD&C colors, such as blue no. 1, blue no. 2, green no. 3, red no. 3, red no. 40, yellow no. 5, yellow no. 6, and the like; natural colors, such as caramel coloring, annatto, chlorophyllin, cochineal, betanin, turmeric, saffron, paprika, lycopene, elderberry juice, pandan, butterfly pea and the like; titanium dioxide; and any suitable food colorant known to the skilled artisan.

The pet food compositions disclosed herein can optionally include additional ingredients, such as other grains and/or other starches additionally or alternatively to flour, amino acids, fibers, sugars, animal oils, aromas, other oils additionally or alternatively to vegetable oil, humectants, preservatives, polyols, salts, oral care ingredients, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, probiotic microorganisms, bioactive molecules or combinations thereof.

Suitable starches include a grain such as corn, rice, wheat, barley, oats, soy and the like, and mixtures of these grains, and can be included at least partially in any flour. Suitable humectants include salt, sugars, propylene glycol and polyhydric glycols such as glycerin and sorbitol, and the like. Suitable oral care ingredients include alfalfa nutrient concentrate containing chlorophyll, sodium bicarbonate, phosphates (e.g., tricalcium phosphate, acid pyrophosphates, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, metaphosphates, and orthophosphates), peppermint, cloves, parsley, ginger and the like. Examples of suitable antioxidants include butylated hydroxyanisole (“BHA”) and butylated hydroxytoluene (“BHT”), vitamin E (tocopherols), and the like.

Non-limiting examples of vitamins that can be used include Vitamins A, B-complex (such as B-1, B-2, B-6 and B-12), C, D, E and K, niacin and acid vitamins such as pantothenic acid and folic acid and biotin. Non-limiting examples of suitable minerals include calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, iodine, copper, phosphorus, manganese, potassium, chromium, molybdenum, selenium, nickel, tin, silicon, vanadium, boron and the like.

Non-limiting examples of suitable preservatives include potassium sorbate, sorbic acid, sodium methyl para-hydroxybenzoate, calcium propionate, propionic acid, and combinations thereof.

Specific amounts for each additional ingredient in the pet food compositions disclosed herein will depend on a variety of factors such as the ingredient included in the first edible material and any second edible material; the species of animal; the animal's age, body weight, general health, sex, and diet; the animal's consumption rate; the purpose for which the food product is administered to the animal; and the like. Therefore, the components and their amounts may vary widely.

For example, the amount of any of the above-noted ingredients can be decreased or increased based on the estimated effect on one or more of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase (e.g., an effect identified by one of the methods disclosed herein). In an embodiment, the amount of one or more of the above-noted ingredients can be increased if such ingredients comprise a metabolite that positively modulates one or more of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase. Additionally or alternatively, the amount of one or more of the above-noted ingredients can be decreased if such ingredients comprise a metabolite that negatively modulates one or more of phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, or gamma-glutamyltransferase.

As noted above, ingredients comprising the metabolite (e.g., a precursor of the metabolite) and optionally amounts of the metabolite in the ingredient can be identified by analysis of the ingredient, for example using a separation technique, such as gas chromatography or liquid chromatography, and then mass spectrometry.

EXAMPLES

The following non-limiting examples are illustrative of embodiments of the present disclosure.

Methods

Each of the examples was derived from the following study.

83 Canines were all fed Diet A for 5 weeks, followed by a 1 week transition period and then 15 were fed Diet B for 5 weeks as shown in the Table 1 below. Plasma and serum samples were taken after overnight fasting during the fifth week of feeding of each diet. After centrifugation, plasma was aliquoted into cryovials and frozen at −80° C. Phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltransferase were measured using the Cobas® c311 or e411 clinical chemistry analyzer (from Roche), according to manufacturer's directions.

TABLE 1 Mois- Moisture ture DM Protein Fat Ash Fiber CHO GE Basis % % % % % % % kcal/g Diet A As-Is 8.1 91.9 22.7 13.3 6.1 2.0 47.9 4.5 Dry 0 100 24.7 14.5 6.6 2.1 52.1 4.9 matter Diet B As-Is 76 24 9.1 10.5 1.8 0 2.6 1.7 Dry 0 100 38 43.7 7.5 0 10.8 6.9 Matter

Metabolomic analysis was carried out using the following methods by Metabolon Inc. Samples were extracted and splitinto equal parts for analysis on GC/MS and LC/MS/MS platforms. Proprietary software was used to match ions to an in-house library of standards for metabolite identification and for metabolite quantitation by peak area integration by Metabolon Inc. Mass and retention index are provided in the following tables such that each metabolite can be uniquely identified and individually distinguished.

At the time of analysis, samples were thawed and extracts prepared to remove protein, dislodge small molecules bound to protein or physically trapped in the precipitated protein matrix, and recover a wide range of chemically diverse metabolites. A separate aliquot of each experimental plasma sample was taken then pooled for the creation of “Client Matrix” (CMTRX) samples. These CMTRX samples were injected throughout the platform run and served as technical replicates, allowing variability in the quantitation of all consistently detected biochemicals to be determined and overall process variability and platform performance to be monitored. Extracts of all experimental and CMTRX samples were split for analysis on the GC/MS and LC/MS/MS platforms.

The CMTRX technical replicate samples were treated independently throughout the process as if they were client study samples. All process samples (CMTRX and Grob test mixtures of organic components used to assess GC column performance, process blanks, etc.) were spaced evenly among the injections for each day and all client samples were randomly distributed throughout each day's run. Data were collected over multiple platform run days and thus ‘block normalized’ by calculating the median values for each run-day block for each individual compound. This normalization minimizes any inter-day instrument gain or drift, but does not interfere with intra-day sample variability. Missing values (if any) were assumed to be below the level of detection for that biochemical with the instrumentation used and were imputed with the observed minimum for that particular biochemical.

A number of internal standards were added to each experimental and process standard sample just prior to injection into the mass spectrometers. A measure of the platform variability (7%) was determined by calculating the median relative standard deviation (RSD) for these internal standards. Because these standards are added to the samples immediately prior to injection into the instrument, this value reflects instrument variation. In addition, the median relative standard deviation (RSD) for the biochemicals that were consistently measured in the CMTRX represents the total variability within the process for the actual experimental samples and the variability in quantitation of the endogenous metabolites within these samples (12%). Results for the CMTRX and internal standards indicated that the platform produced data that met process specifications.

589 total metabolites were detected in plasma. This total corresponds to many biochemicals (401) that matched a named structure in the reference library (named compounds). The remaining biochemicals (188) represent distinct chemical entities (that is, they represent a single molecule of discrete molecular formula and structure), but they do not currently match a named biochemical in the reference library (unnamed/unknown compounds).

Example 1 (Phosphorus)

Metabolite correlations with phosphorus were determined based on plasma metabolomics (Table 2). This provided a predictive model of compounds which can influence phosphorus either positively or negatively. Feeding different levels of these compounds (diet B vs diet A; Table 3), and noting changes in phosphorus (Table 4), served as a validation model. The metabolite compositions of the two different diets were determined to identify relative levels of specific compounds. Those validated by the model are shown in Table 5.

TABLE 2 Metabolite correlations with phosphorus. Correlations with a P value <0.01 are reported. Correlation Retention ID Correlation P-Value Index Mass phosphate 0.7589 0.00E+00 1307.7 298.9 cysteine-glutathione disulfide 0.4832 4.66E−07 821 427.1 X-11787 0.4826 4.84E−07 1126 148.1 X-16013 0.4471 3.93E−06 3463 363 X-16869 0.4431 4.89E−06 5179.8 330.2 cysteine 0.4352 7.52E−06 1560.1 218 X-12195 0.4171 1.93E−05 3369 333 N-acetylthreonine 0.4171 1.94E−05 846 160.1 homocysteine 0.415 2.15E−05 1648.2 234 X-16975 0.4148 2.17E−05 2291.8 255.1 erythritol 0.393 6.25E−05 1517.5 217 glycerol −0.3863 8.54E−05 1311 205 X-18559 −0.3857 8.77E−05 1864.9 254.1 X-12435 −0.3843 9.35E−05 3174 357.2 arabitol 0.3782 0.0001 1687.5 307.1 X-13695 0.3739 0.0001 2511 245 betaine −0.3641 0.0002 721 118.2 N-acetylphenylalanine 0.3703 0.0002 2590 206.2 3-ureidopropionate 0.3615 0.0003 1062 133.1 X-13543 0.3565 0.0003 1096 484.1 X-09789 0.348 0.0004 2613 153.1 3-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) −0.3451 0.0005 1203.5 116.9 citrulline 0.3435 0.0005 715 176.1 mannose −0.3434 0.0005 1753.5 203.9 N-acetylornithine 0.3463 0.0005 875 175.2 urea 0.3472 0.0005 1223.9 171 X-11549 −0.3434 0.0005 5093 339.3 2-oxindole-3-acetate 0.3394 0.0006 3217.2 192.1 N-acetyltryptophan 0.3402 0.0006 2650 245.2 glycerate −0.3352 0.0007 1360.7 189 pseudouridine 0.3381 0.0007 1104 243.1 X-11949 −0.3265 0.001 3830 220.1 X-15439 0.3268 0.001 3616 348.9 X-11662 0.3259 0.0011 2385 249.1 X-16015 0.3245 0.0011 3788 268.1 X-18487 0.3249 0.0011 1269.6 273.1 xylonate 0.3221 0.0012 1722 292 threitol 0.3182 0.0014 1513 217.1 3-aminoisobutyrate 0.3126 0.0017 1252.2 101.9 arachidonate (20:4n6) −0.3127 0.0017 5525 303.4 catechol sulfate 0.3129 0.0017 1928 188.9 X-11378 −0.3128 0.0017 5325 445.4 gamma-glutamylphenylalanine 0.3069 0.0021 2846 295.1 C-glycosyltryptophan 0.3055 0.0022 1912 367.1 phenylalanine 0.3053 0.0022 2056 166.1 2-myristoylglycerophosphocholine 0.3049 0.0023 5450 468.3 X-16071 0.3029 0.0024 3616 146.2 X-12189 0.3027 0.0025 1249 273.1 X-13866 0.3015 0.0025 2406 253.1 trigonelline (N′-methylnicotinate) 0.3011 0.0026 757 138.1 X-11437 0.3007 0.0026 2888 231 1-myristoylglycerophosphocholine 0.2984 0.0028 5481 468.3 allantoin 0.2829 0.0048 1809.8 518.3 kynurenine 0.2816 0.005 1902 209.1 X-02249 −0.2815 0.005 4025 267.2 kynurenate 0.2796 0.0053 2243 188.1 4-vinylphenol sulfate 0.2778 0.0056 3323 199.1 X-16945 0.2778 0.0056 3457.9 351 X-15375 0.2737 0.0064 2502 328 5-methylcytidine −0.2733 0.0065 1388 258 gamma-glutamylleucine 0.2731 0.0065 2744 261.2 X-12104 0.2728 0.0066 1755 271.1 glutathione, oxidized (GSSG) 0.2693 0.0073 1535 613.1 X-15644 0.2683 0.0076 2697 172.2 X-16982 0.2644 0.0085 1622.9 191.9 X-12673 0.264 0.0086 3634 255.2 N-acetylserine 0.2636 0.0087 1526 218 X-12236 0.2619 0.0092 1321 245.1 X-15609 −0.2613 0.0093 3664 273.1 fructose −0.261 0.0094 1758 217 arabinose 0.2595 0.0099 1631.6 217

TABLE 3 Compound levels present in diets A and B. Values represent scaled imputed values (data are scaled such that the median value measured across all samples was set to 1.0 and missing values (if any) were imputed with the observed minimum for that particular compound). ID A B phosphate 0.76 0.84 cysteine-glutathione disulfide 0.04 0.04 X-11787 0.04 0.06 X-16013 1.26 0.45 X-16869 0.29 0.29 cysteine 0.21 0.24 X-12195 0.84 0.08 N-acetylthreonine 0.22 0.22 homocysteine 0.6 0.42 X-16975 1.02 0.44 erythritol 3.45 0.32 glycerol 2.61 1.85 X-18559 0.78 0.78 X-12435 0.36 0.36 arabitol 9.47 0.61 X-13695 0.11 0.11 betaine 0.61 0.69 N-acetylphenylalanine 1.98 0.2 3-ureidopropionate 0.53 0.54 X-13543 0.1 0.1 X-09789 5.54 0.2 3-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) 0.18 0.34 citrulline 2.35 0.38 mannose 0.21 1.45 N-acetylornithine 0.41 0.21 urea 0 0.02 X-11549 0.13 0.13 2-oxindole-3-acetate 5.63 0.09 N-acetyltryptophan 1 0.24 glycerate 3.38 9.94 pseudouridine 0.07 0.1 X-11949 0.28 0.28 X-15439 2.1 0.38 X-11662 0.28 0.28 X-16015 0.02 0.02 X-18487 0.26 0.26 xylonate 8.82 8.21 threitol 0.86 0.33 3-aminoisobutyrate 9.14 1.37 arachidonate (20:4n6) 0.43 4.48 catechol sulfate 0.02 0.02 X-11378 0.05 0.11 gamma-glutamylphenylalanine 14.27 1.36 C-glycosyltryptophan 0.72 2.79 phenylalanine 0.75 0.64 2-myristoylglycerophosphocholine 0.21 3.63 X-16071 1.61 1.08 X-12189 0.23 0.23 X-13866 0.26 0.26 trigonelline (N′-methylnicotinate) 12.47 1.65 X-11437 0.05 0.05 1-myristoylglycerophosphocholine 0.22 3.8 allantoin 0.28 0.05 kynurenine 0.05 0.04 X-02249 0.48 0.48 kynurenate 0.21 0.21 4-vinylphenol sulfate 0.02 0.02 X-16945 0.07 0.07 X-15375 0.41 0.97 5-methylcytidine 0.3 0.09 gamma-glutamylleucine 0.55 0.69 X-12104 0.51 1.13 glutathione, oxidized (GSSG) 0.35 0.16 X-15644 0.32 0.32 X-16982 0.4 0.4 X-12673 0.17 0.17 N-acetylserine 1.78 1.12 X-12236 0.1 0.1 X-15609 0.37 0.37 fructose 18.37 7.79 arabinose 10.21 2.48

TABLE 4 Phosphorus in response to diet A and Diet B. Difference Diet A Diet B p- Parameter Mean StdDev Mean StdDev Mean StdErr value Phosphorus 4.0 0.6 3.4 0.5 0.6 0.2 0.004

TABLE 5 Compounds validated by dietary change. Retention ID Index Mass X-16013 3463 363 X-12195 3369 333 homocysteine 1648.2 234 X-16975 2291.8 255.1 erythritol 1517.5 217 arabitol 1687.5 307.1 betaine 721 118.2 N-acetylphenylalanine 2590 206.2 X-09789 2613 153.1 3-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) 1203.5 116.9 citrulline 715 176.1 mannose 1753.5 203.9 2-oxindole-3-acetate 3217.2 192.1 N-acetyltryptophan 2650 245.2 glycerate 1360.7 189 X-15439 3616 348.9 xylonate 1722 292 threitol 1513 217.1 3-aminoisobutyrate 1252.2 101.9 arachidonate (20:4n6) 5525 303.4 X-11378 5325 445.4 gamma-glutamylphenylalanine 2846 295.1 phenylalanine 2056 166.1 X-16071 3616 146.2 trigonelline (N′-methylnicotinate) 757 138.1 allantoin 1809.8 518.3 glutathione, oxidized (GSSG) 1535 613.1 N-acetylserine 1526 218 arabinose 1631.6 217

Example 2 (Alkaline Phosphatase)

Metabolite correlations with alkaline phosphatase were determined based on plasma metabolomics (Table 6). This provided a predictive model of compounds which can influence alkaline phosphatase either positively or negatively. Feeding different levels of these compounds (diet B vs diet A; Table 7), and noting changes in alkaline phosphatase (Table 8), served as a validation model. The metabolite compositions of the two different diets were determined to identify relative levels of specific compounds. Those compounds validated by the model are shown in Table 9).

TABLE 6 Metabolite correlations with alkaline phosphatase. Correlations with a P value <0.01 are reported. Correlation Retention ID Correlation P-Value Index Mass lysine 0.4518 3.02E−06 1836.7 317.2 2-linoleoylglycerophosphoethanolamine 0.4195 1.71E−05 5650 476.4 X-13215 0.417 1.94E−05 5179 149.2 lathosterol 0.4 4.48E−05 2337 255.2 arginine −0.3927 6.35E−05 728 173.2 X-14314 0.3661 0.0002 2302 241.1 X-12189 0.3542 0.0003 1249 273.1 1-linoleoylglycerophosphoethanolamine 0.3514 0.0004 5725 476.3 X-12822 0.3539 0.0004 2786 389.1 gamma-glutamylleucine 0.3284 0.001 2744 261.2 X-18559 −0.3249 0.0011 1864.9 254.1 X-12672 −0.3176 0.0014 1797 256 gamma-glutamylphenylalanine 0.3077 0.0021 2846 295.1 cholesterol 0.3042 0.0023 2316.9 329.3 cystine 0.2952 0.0032 2015.3 145.9 X-16009 −0.2859 0.0043 2191 222 X-17348 0.2827 0.0048 2524 247.2 1-stearoylglycerol (1-monostearin) 0.2805 0.0052 2186.6 399.4 X-11914 0.2801 0.0052 5448 295.3 cysteine 0.2804 0.0052 1560.1 218 arabinose 0.2794 0.0053 1631.6 217 X-17224 0.2776 0.0057 2121 180.2 carnitine 0.2753 0.0061 702 162.2 phenylalanine 0.2742 0.0063 2056 166.1 X-16869 0.2714 0.0069 5179.8 330.2 5,6-dihydrouracil −0.2673 0.0078 1505.2 243 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) 0.2646 0.0085 1788.7 217

TABLE 7 Compound levels present in diets A and B. Values represent scaled imputed values (data are scaled such that the median value measured across all samples was set to 1.0 and missing values (if any) were imputed with the observed minimum for that particular compound). ID A B lysine 33.69 6.43 2-linoleoylglycerophosphoethanolamine 0.56 2.58 X-13215 0.02 0.1 lathosterol 0.41 0.41 arginine 1 0.63 X-14314 23.7 1.51 X-12189 0.23 0.23 1-linoleoylglycerophosphoethanolamine 0.48 2.77 X-12822 0.2 0.2 gamma-glutamylleucine 0.55 0.69 X-18559 0.78 0.78 X-12672 0.72 0.72 gamma-glutamylphenylalanine 14.27 1.36 cholesterol 0.05 0.31 cystine 0.37 0.37 X-16009 0.2 0.2 X-17348 0.67 0.67 1-stearoylglycerol (1-monostearin) 0.38 1.21 X-11914 1.01 0.78 cysteine 0.21 0.24 arabinose 10.21 2.48 X-17224 0.3 0.3 carnitine 0.32 0.73 phenylalanine 0.75 0.64 X-16869 0.29 0.29 5,6-dihydrouracil 1.87 0.18 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) 0.28 0.28

TABLE 8 Alkaline phosphatase in response to diet A and Diet B. Difference Diet A Diet B p- Parameter Mean StdDev Mean StdDev Mean StdErr value Alkaline 40.7 17.7 28.9 12.5 11.8 3.4 0.003 phosphatase

TABLE 9 Compounds validated by dietary change. Retention ID Index Mass lysine 1836.7 317.2 X-14314 2302 241.1 gamma-glutamylphenylalanine 2846 295.1 X-11914 5448 295.3 arabinose 1631.6 217 phenylalanine 2056 166.1

Example 3 (Aspartate Aminotransferase)

Metabolite correlations with aspartate aminotransferase were determined based on plasma metabolomics (Table 10). This provided a predictive model of compounds which can influence aspartate aminotransferase either positively or negatively. Feeding different levels of these compounds (diet B vs diet A; Table 11), and noting changes in aspartate aminotransferase (Table 12), served as a validation model. The metabolite compositions of the two different diets were determined in order to identify relative levels of specific compounds. Those compounds validated by the model are shown in Table 13).

TABLE 10 Metabolite correlations with aspartate aminotransferase. Correlations with a P value <0.01 are reported. Correlation Retention ID Correlation P-Value Index Mass taurocholate 0.6168 1.36E−11 5122 514.3 3-ureidopropionate 0.5649 1.37E−09 1062 133.1 3-aminoisobutyrate 0.5636 1.52E−09 1252.2 101.9 N-acetylthreonine 0.5421 8.16E−09 846 160.1 allantoin 0.5303 1.95E−08 1809.8 518.3 threitol 0.5212 3.76E−08 1513 217.1 X-12721 0.5133 6.51E−08 1865 261 kynurenate 0.5089 8.77E−08 2243 188.1 erythronate 0.4994 1.65E−07 1546.9 292.1 gulono-1,4-lactone 0.4759 7.31E−07 1862 333.1 arabitol 0.4668 1.27E−06 1687.5 307.1 taurochenodeoxycholate 0.4613 1.75E−06 5218 498.3 X-18558 0.4184 1.81E−05 1676.8 380.1 X-17337 0.4143 2.22E−05 4692.5 328.3 N-acetylserine 0.4035 3.79E−05 1526 218 C-glycosyltryptophan 0.3831 9.87E−05 1912 367.1 N-acetylmethionine 0.3792 0.0001 1805 190.1 2-hydroxyisobutyrate 0.3707 0.0002 1107.5 130.9 cis-aconitate 0.3662 0.0002 1461 192 histidine −0.3702 0.0002 757 154.1 urea 0.3662 0.0002 1223.9 171 erythritol 0.3606 0.0003 1517.5 217 quinolinate 0.35 0.0004 1697.7 296.1 X-12673 0.3502 0.0004 3634 255.2 2-hydroxyglutarate 0.3429 0.0005 1576 247 N-acetylalanine 0.3432 0.0005 882 130.1 X-11662 0.3434 0.0005 2385 249.1 X-11333 0.3324 0.0008 1019 212.1 butyrylcarnitine 0.3309 0.0009 2007 232.2 X-13835 0.3293 0.0009 1014 169.1 xylonate 0.325 0.0011 1722 292 dimethylglycine 0.3233 0.0012 1030 57.9 laurylcarnitine 0.3168 0.0015 5066 344.3 phenylalanyltryptophan −0.3142 0.0016 3349 352.2 1-methylhistidine 0.3129 0.0017 1757.7 196 nicotinamide −0.3108 0.0018 1267 123.1 X-14625 −0.3082 0.002 742 308.1 pseudouridine 0.3067 0.0021 1104 243.1 eicosapentaenoate 0.3055 0.0022 5442 301.3 (EPA; 20:5n3) uracil 0.3 0.0027 1370.4 241 5-methylcytidine −0.2991 0.0028 1388 258 X-12104 0.2962 0.0031 1755 271.1 taurodeoxycholate 0.2939 0.0033 5243 498.3 X-13695 0.2944 0.0033 2511 245 citrate 0.2907 0.0037 1763.4 273.1 X-12195 0.2894 0.0039 3369 333 X-14352 0.2879 0.004 2635 247.2 X-12602 0.2807 0.0051 1456 204.2 N-acetylleucine 0.279 0.0054 3444 174.1 X-16982 0.2791 0.0054 1622.9 191.9 N-acetylphenylalanine 0.2774 0.0057 2590 206.2 X-18572 0.2693 0.0073 4543.7 285.2 1-linoleoyl- 0.2683 0.0076 5487 595.3 glycerophosphoinositol dihomo-linolenate 0.2632 0.0088 5600 305.4 (20:3n3 or n6) phosphate 0.2625 0.009 1307.7 298.9 N-acetyltyrosine 0.2603 0.0096 1677 222.2 X-11914 0.2596 0.0099 5448 295.3

TABLE 11 Compound levels present in diets A and B. Values represent scaled imputed values (data are scaled such that the median value measured across all samples was set to 1.0 and missing values (if any) were imputed with the observed minimum for that particular compound). ID A B taurocholate 6.67 0.61 3-ureidopropionate 0.53 0.54 3-aminoisobutyrate 9.14 1.37 N-acetylthreonine 0.22 0.22 allantoin 0.28 0.05 threitol 0.86 0.33 X-12721 0.29 0.29 kynurenate 0.21 0.21 erythronate* 0.58 0.63 gulono-1,4-lactone 0.9 2.69 arabitol 9.47 0.61 taurochenodeoxycholate 69.55 21.66 X-18558 0.55 0.47 X-17337 0.4 0.4 N-acetylserine 1.78 1.12 C-glycosyltryptophan* 0.72 2.79 N-acetylmethionine 2.66 0.29 2-hydroxyisobutyrate 0.51 0.51 cis-aconitate 0.34 0.34 histidine 0.31 0.45 urea 0 0.02 erythritol 3.45 0.32 quinolinate 0.31 0.31 X-12673 0.17 0.17 2-hydroxyglutarate 2.26 3.52 N-acetylalanine 0.71 0.67 X-11662 0.28 0.28 X-11333 0.58 0.58 butyrylcarnitine 0.44 2.42 X-13835 0.4 0.4 xylonate 8.82 8.21 dimethylglycine 0.39 1.1 laurylcarnitine 0.35 0.35 phenylalanyltryptophan 0.29 0.29 1-methylhistidine 0.3 0.3 nicotinamide 1.72 10.37 X-14625 2.66 2.74 pseudouridine 0.07 0.1 eicosapentaenoate (EPA; 20:5n3) 0.24 5.35 uracil 36.5 97.59 5-methylcytidine 0.3 0.09 X-12104 0.51 1.13 taurodeoxycholate 0.16 0.16 X-13695 0.11 0.11 citrate 0.72 0.11 X-12195 0.84 0.08 X-14352 0.69 0.46 X-12602 0.23 0.23 N-acetylleucine 0.46 0.08 X-16982 0.4 0.4 N-acetylphenylalanine 1.98 0.2 X-18572 0.1 0.1 1-linoleoylglycerophosphoinositol* 2.57 2.64 dihomo-linolenate (20:3n3 or n6) 0.42 5.03 phosphate 0.76 0.84 N-acetyltyrosine 0.82 0.32 X-11914 1.01 0.78

TABLE 12 Aspartate aminotransferase in response to diet A and Diet B. Difference Diet A Diet B p- Parameter Mean StdDev Mean StdDev Mean StdErr value Aspartate 27.8 5.0 31.7 4.9 −3.9 1.1 0.003 amino- transferase

TABLE 13 Compounds validated by dietary change. Retention ID Index Mass 3-ureidopropionate 1062 133.1 threitol 1513 217.1 erythronate 1546.9 292.1 gulono-1,4-lactone 1862 333.1 C-glycosyltryptophan 1912 367.1 urea 1223.9 171 2-hydroxyglutarate 1576 247 butyrylcarnitine 2007 232.2 dimethylglycine 1030 57.9 pseudouridine 1104 243.1 eicosapentaenoate (EPA; 20:5n3) 5442 301.3 uracil 1370.4 241 X-12104 1755 271.1 1-linoleoylglycerophosphoinositol 5487 595.3 dihomo-linolenate (20:3n3 or n6) 5600 305.4 phosphate 1307.7 298.9

Example 4 (Gamma-Glutamyltransferase)

Metabolite correlations with gamma-glutamyltransferase were determined based on plasma metabolomics (Table 14). This provided a predictive model of compounds which can influence gamma-glutamyltransferase either positively or negatively. Feeding different levels of these compounds (diet B vs diet A; Table 15), and noting changes in gamma-glutamyltransferase (Table 16), served as a validation model. The metabolite compositions of the two different diets were determined in order to identify relative levels of specific compounds. Those compounds validated by the model are shown in Table 17.

TABLE 14 Metabolite correlations with gamma-glutamyltransferase. Correlations with a P value <0.01 are reported. Correlation Retention ID Correlation P-Value Index Mass 3-aminoisobutyrate 0.5302 1.98E−08 1252.2 101.9 trigonelline (N′-methylnicotinate) 0.502 1.39E−07 757 138.1 N-acetylserine 0.4869 3.70E−07 1526 218 X-12721 0.456 2.38E−06 1865 261 N-acetylthreonine 0.449 3.53E−06 846 160.1 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) 0.4464 4.08E−06 1788.7 217 X-11438 0.4395 5.97E−06 3092 241.2 taurochenodeoxycholate 0.437 6.81E−06 5218 498.3 erythritol 0.4307 9.56E−06 1517.5 217 X-18559 −0.4293 1.03E−05 1864.9 254.1 X-17443 0.4259 1.23E−05 3102.3 271.2 3-ureidopropionate 0.4246 1.32E−05 1062 133.1 X-11787 0.4244 1.33E−05 1126 148.1 erythronate 0.4173 1.91E−05 1546.9 292.1 15-methylpalmitate (isobar with 2-methylpalmitate) 0.4146 2.19E−05 5698 269.4 allantoin 0.4106 2.68E−05 1809.8 518.3 taurocholate 0.4025 3.97E−05 5122 514.3 urea 0.3998 4.53E−05 1223.9 171 threitol 0.3906 7.00E−05 1513 217.1 X-15728 0.3845 9.26E−05 3972 231.1 X-11795 −0.37 0.0002 1457 148.1 X-12673 0.3673 0.0002 3634 255.2 3-phosphoglycerate −0.3553 0.0003 1754 299 betaine −0.3589 0.0003 721 118.2 N6-carbamoylthreonyladenosine 0.3605 0.0003 2656 413 X-15546 0.3542 0.0003 1861 271.1 arabitol 0.3532 0.0004 1687.5 307.1 sebacate (decanedioate) 0.35 0.0004 1778 201.2 X-11437 0.3468 0.0005 2888 231 X-12672 −0.339 0.0006 1797 256 catechol sulfate 0.336 0.0007 1928 188.9 X-18570 0.3292 0.0009 3243.1 207 3-methylglutarylcarnitine (C6) 0.3248 0.0011 1900 290.1 X-16975 0.3254 0.0011 2291.8 255.1 gulono-1,4-lactone 0.325 0.0011 1862 333.1 X-11727 0.3175 0.0014 709 241 X-11549 −0.3189 0.0014 5093 339.3 stachydrine 0.3165 0.0015 860 144.1 4-vinylphenol sulfate 0.3158 0.0015 3323 199.1 X-16009 −0.3129 0.0017 2191 222 X-11843 0.3123 0.0017 2710 230.1 citrulline 0.3106 0.0019 715 176.1 citrate 0.3103 0.0019 1763.4 273.1 pseudouridine 0.3102 0.0019 1104 243.1 tiglyl carnitine 0.3069 0.0021 2317 244.1 X-12339 −0.3078 0.0021 1055 174.1 glycolate (hydroxyacetate) −0.3075 0.0021 1119 177 X-12602 0.3015 0.0026 1456 204.2 campesterol 0.296 0.0031 2353 343.4 X-16869 0.2941 0.0033 5179.8 330.2 X-12195 0.2908 0.0037 3369 333 phosphate 0.2866 0.0042 1307.7 298.9 X-16940 0.2844 0.0045 1694.1 204.9 X-11914 0.2824 0.0048 5448 295.3 carnitine 0.2803 0.0052 702 162.2 X-09789 0.2782 0.0055 2613 153.1 X-13731 0.2787 0.0055 1902 235 pipecolate −0.2762 0.0059 1120 130.1 anthranilate 0.2756 0.006 3213 138.1 X-17185 0.2752 0.0061 3069.1 215.2 X-12212 0.2732 0.0065 3607 229.1 X-17337 0.2712 0.0069 4692.5 328.3 C-glycosyltryptophan 0.2704 0.0071 1912 367.1 1-oleoylglycerophosphocholine 0.2695 0.0073 5700 522.4 N2,N2-dimethylguanosine 0.2665 0.008 2157 312.1 X-16015 0.265 0.0084 3788 268.1 X-15375 0.2643 0.0085 2502 328

TABLE 15 Compound levels present in diets A and B. Values represent scaled imputed values (data are scaled such that the median value measured across all samples was set to 1.0 and missing values (if any) were imputed with the observed minimum for that particular compound). ID A B 3-aminoisobutyrate 9.14 1.37 trigonelline (N′-methylnicotinate) 12.47 1.65 N-acetylserine 1.78 1.12 X-12721 0.29 0.29 N-acetylthreonine 0.22 0.22 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) 0.28 0.28 X-11438 0.24 0.24 taurochenodeoxycholate 69.55 21.66 erythritol 3.45 0.32 X-18559 0.78 0.78 X-17443 0.21 0.21 3-ureidopropionate 0.53 0.54 X-11787 0.04 0.06 erythronate 0.58 0.63 15-methylpalmitate (isobar with 2-methylpalmitate) 0.37 0.19 allantoin 0.28 0.05 taurocholate 6.67 0.61 urea 0 0.02 threitol 0.86 0.33 X-15728 0.32 0.32 X-11795 0.59 0.59 X-12673 0.17 0.17 3-phosphoglycerate 0.98 1.65 betaine 0.61 0.69 N6-carbamoylthreonyladenosine 0.57 0.57 X-15546 0.15 0.15 arabitol 9.47 0.61 sebacate (decanedioate) 1.58 1.19 X-11437 0.05 0.05 X-12672 0.72 0.72 catechol sulfate 0.02 0.02 X-18570 0.08 0.08 3-methylglutarylcarnitine (C6) 0.36 0.36 X-16975 1.02 0.44 gulono-1,4-lactone 0.9 2.69 X-11727 0.41 0.41 X-11549 0.13 0.13 stachydrine 3.62 0.78 4-vinylphenol sulfate 0.02 0.02 X-16009 0.2 0.2 X-11843 0.19 0.19 citrulline 2.35 0.38 citrate 0.72 0.11 pseudouridine 0.07 0.1 tiglyl carnitine 0.35 1.2 X-12339 0.96 0.5 glycolate (hydroxyacetate) 0.89 0.94 X-12602 0.23 0.23 campesterol 1.56 0.72 X-16869 0.29 0.29 X-12195 0.84 0.08 phosphate 0.76 0.84 X-16940 0.12 0.12 X-11914 1.01 0.78 carnitine 0.32 0.73 X-09789 5.54 0.2 X-13731 0.16 0.16 pipecolate 7.41 1.56 anthranilate 0.46 0.44 X-17185 0.12 0.06 X-12212 0.21 0.21 X-17337 0.4 0.4 C-glycosyltryptophan 0.72 2.79 1-oleoylglycerophosphocholine 0.12 0.72 N2,N2-dimethylguanosine 0.59 0.54 X-16015 0.02 0.02 X-15375 0.41 0.97

TABLE 16 Gamma-glutamyltransferase in response to diet A and Diet B. Difference Diet A Diet B p- Parameter Mean StdDev Mean StdDev Mean StdErr value Gamma- 7.2 1.5 2.2 2.5 4.9 0.4 0 Glutamyl- transferase

TABLE 17 Compounds validated by dietary change. Retention ID Index Mass 3-aminoisobutyrate 1252.2 101.9 trigonelline (N′-methylnicotinate) 757 138.1 N-acetylserine 1526 218 taurochenodeoxycholate 5218 498.3 erythritol 1517.5 217 15-methylpalmitate (isobar with 2-methylpalmitate) 5698 269.4 allantoin 1809.8 518.3 taurocholate 5122 514.3 threitol 1513 217.1 3-phosphoglycerate 1754 299 betaine 721 118.2 arabitol 1687.5 307.1 sebacate (decanedioate) 1778 201.2 X-16975 2291.8 255.1 stachydrine 860 144.1 citrulline 715 176.1 citrate 1763.4 273.1 glycolate (hydroxyacetate) 1119 177 campesterol 2353 343.4 X-12195 3369 333 X-11914 5448 295.3 X-09789 2613 153.1

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims. 

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A method to maintain health and/or body weight of a companion animal, the method comprising: administering to the companion animal a pet food composition comprising protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, and at least three distinct metabolites; the at least three distinct metabolites comprise homocysteine, a first distinct metabolite and a second distinct metabolite, and the pet food composition comprises each of the first and second distinct metabolites in an amount that is (i) about 0.01 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of the pet food composition and/or (ii) about 1 IU to about 500,000 IU per kilogram of the pet food composition; wherein the first and second distinct metabolites are each individually selected from the group consisting of erythritol, arabitol, betaine, N-acetylphenylalanine, 3-hydroxybutyrate, citrulline, mannose, 2-oxindole-3-acetate, N-acetyltryptophan, glycerate, xylonate, threitol, 3-aminoisobutyrate, arachidonate, gamma-glutamylphenylalanine, phenylalanine, trigonelline, allantoin, glutathione, N-acetylserine, arabinose, lysine, 3-ureidopropionate, erythronate, gulono-1,4-lactone, C-glycosyltryptophan, urea, 2-hydroxyglutarate, butyrylcarnitine, dimethylglycine, pseudouridine, eicosapentaenoate, uracil, 1-linoleoylglycerophosphoinositol, dihomo-linolenate, phosphate, taurochenodeoxycholate, 15-methylpalmitate, taurocholate, 3-phosphoglycerate, sebacate, stachydrine, citrate, glycolate, campesterol, and mixtures thereof.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pet food composition comprises at least four of the distinct metabolites.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pet food composition comprises at least five of the distinct metabolites.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the pet food composition comprises at least six of the distinct metabolites.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the pet food composition comprises at least nine of the distinct metabolites.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the pet food composition comprises at least 12 of the distinct metabolites.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the administering of the pet food composition to the companion animal comprises regular administration of the pet food composition to the companion animal.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the companion animal has at least one of (i) damage or disease to a tissue selected from the group consisting of liver, kidney, bone, placenta, intestines, pancreas, heart, muscle, and red blood cells; (ii) hypophosphatemia; (iii) neurological dysfunction; (iv) diarrhea; (v) calcification of organs; or (vi) calcification of soft tissue.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first distinct metabolite is erythritol, and the second distinct metabolite is arabitol.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the companion animal is a senior dog or a senior cat.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the pet food composition is administered to the companion animal in an amount from about 3 g of pet food per 1 lb body weight to about 16 g of pet food per 1 lb body weight of the companion animal. 